How flexible offices are supporting ESG: Q&A with Huckletree

As part of our series to find out how flexible office providers are addressing ESG (Environmental Social Governance) within their spaces we caught up with Gaby Hersham, CEO at Huckletree to find out more.

Tell us a bit about your business / offer

Huckletree is a network of curated workspaces in the UK & Ireland bringing together 4,000+ of the brightest minds working across dynamic tech and creative sectors including web3, fintech, AI, govtech, and sustainable innovation. We create workspaces that help the world's most innovative companies thrive.

Are you addressing sustainability in the way you operate your business, and if yes what does this include for you?

Sustainability is a core value for us at Huckletree. We are committed to addressing sustainability in the way we operate our business. We have also launched our first impact report this year which revealed our commitment to continuous improvement and strict sustainability measures. Our most recent opening in Oxford Circus diverted 99.1% of waste from landfill, which avoided more than 500 tonnes of CO2 compared to landfill - the equivalent of 25,000 trees needing to grow for a year to capture CO2 emissions. The Oxford Circus hub also achieved a Silver SKA award for its sustainable fit-out process and materials. In June we also gained certification as a B Corporation, signalling a shift towards greater accountability and transparency in the property sector. 

Are you addressing environmental, social and governance issues equally or focussing more on one of these areas?

We believe in addressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues equally. Our approach is to integrate sustainability across all aspects of our operations and our overall B Corp score of 86.4 solidifies our dedication to ESG and our commitment to goals outside of shareholder profit. Driven by creating net positive outcomes for buildings, members and local communities, and prioritising transparency and accountability, the 2023 Huckletree Impact Report revealed the business is going above and beyond for the planet, the people within its spaces, the surrounding local communities, and stakeholders. When looking into our social impact, Huckletree is dedicated to the wellbeing, personal growth and development of our members. In addition, our annual Alpha Programme, a 12-week accelerator designed for pre-seed founders from under-represented backgrounds, has helped 83 new founders bring their businesses to life since its inception in 2017. 

As a part of your work on sustainability, have you set a net zero target? If yes what does your commitment include and what have been the main challenges so far?

We have not set a Net Zero target yet, choosing instead to focus on our B Corp score with an internal target of 5 additional B Corp points for each annual cycle. 

Is consideration of sustainability affecting your long-term strategic planning e.g. site selection?

Sustainability is a key pillar of the Huckletree model and runs through the entire business, from acquisition, through to design to operations. Bringing hubs to life in the most eco-friendly way possible, Huckletree partners with B Corp accredited developers and suppliers at the forefront of sustainable building design and operation and has a target to ensure that all new spaces target a SKA rating of Silver, as well as running at an EPC level of B. When it comes to existing within the spaces, the Huckletree world is energy efficient, waste managed, and has been a fully vegetarian operation since 2018. In terms of building selection, naturally we are choosing buildings that are as sustainable and energy-efficient as possible.

Are any of your clients/occupiers asking you about sustainability? If yes, what are they asking about?

They tend to ask about our ESG strategy more broadly, and we are finding that most seem very reassured to be aligned to a B Corp business. 

Do you think sustainability has been fully embraced by the flexible office sector? If not, what do you think are the barriers?

While sustainability has gained traction within the flexible office sector, I don't believe it has been fully embraced yet. Some barriers include the initial costs associated with sustainable fitouts, the lack of awareness among certain stakeholders, and the challenge of implementing sustainability uniformly across all providers. It's always a battle between long-term strategy and immediate gains; in an industry where margins are tight most (if not all) operators will aim to keep costs as low as possible. However, looking beyond that, we know that sustainability is going to become more and more key for us as operators. 

What more can be done?

To further promote sustainability in the flexible office sector, collaboration among industry players is crucial. We can come together to share best practices, invest in sustainable technologies, and educate both our staff and clients about the importance of making sustainable choices. Additionally, advocating for government incentives and policies that support sustainable practices will help accelerate the adoption of green initiatives across the industry.

Explore Huckletree's latest workspace in Oxford Circus